Top 10 Tourist Attractions in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Grand Rapids, Michigan is not afraid to offer significantly more surprises to foreign and local visitors. The city is rich in historical, social and many other riches. From the beautiful beaches to the exhibition halls along the streets, here is a list of the top 10 attractions you should visit in Grand Rapids:

Things To Do in Grand Rapids

Table of Contents [Show]
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park Meyer May House Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum Grand Rapids Public Museum Leonardo da Vinci’s Horse Van Andel Arena Grand Rapids Art Museum John Ball Zoo Grand Rapids Children’s Museum Fish Ladder Sculpture

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1: Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

Sculptures can be heavily fortified or guarded and thus visitors are unable to have close contact with these pieces of art. But this is different with the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park located in Grand Rapids. There is a botanical garden with a collection of plant varieties for everyone to see. The fact that this is also among the 10 most visited art museums in the whole world tells you that there are amazing things to see in this park.

Address: 1000 E Beltline Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525

Website: www.meijergardens.org

2: Meyer May House

You may think that this is just like a normal house but you will be surprised; this is not just a house. Built in the early 1900s and still standing on its foundation, the Meyer May House, named after the person who commissioned it, is a haven for many spectacles that one can experience at completely no cost. Tours are offered round the house to show you through all its corners while updating you about the history behind the house. There is a collection of photos that show you how the house looked in the 1900s compared to how it is presently.

Address: 450 Madison Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Website: www.meyermayhouse.steelcase.com

3: Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum

The United States of America has had many presidents, among them the renowned Gerald R. Ford. He even has a museum named after him which gives you a very rare glimpse into viewing his life while he served as the most powerful man in the world. The museum has centers for learning for students, interactive exhibits and photos of the president as he interacted with various dignitaries, family and also friends. Close to 20,000 artifacts depicting the life of Gerald are also on display.

Address: 303 Pearl St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504

Website: www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov

4: Grand Rapids Public Museum

Located at 272 Pearl Street NW, coming here as a tourist exposes you to a grand reception from the locals and you get to see one of the oldest museums in the United States of America. A 1928 merry-go-round takes you on a ride through history and has some exhibits, among them a furniture city, a creation of the business city of the Grand Rapids in a very realistic manner, and an alphabet linked exhibit which means you can find exhibits more easily based on the first letter of its name. The museum is also an architectural marvel and is indeed a fantastic experience packaged in small bundles of awesomeness.

Address: 272 Pearl St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504

Website: www.grpm.org

5: Leonardo da Vinci’s Horse

The famous Italian painter, Leonardo da Vinci owned a horse that tourists can now come and see as a bronze sculpture which is 24 feet tall. Both adults, children and senior citizens are welcome each with different entry prices. The sculpture is based on the sketch of Leonardo da Vinci himself. He commissioned it in the mid-1400s.

Address: Frederik Meijer Gardens, Grand Rapids, MI 49525

Website: www.davincisciencecenter.org

6: Van Andel Arena

President Barrack Obama is one of the prominent people who have held an event in this arena and thus, making this place as your next stop will guarantee you nothing but pure fun. With over 10,000 capacity, the Van Andel Arena located in West Fulton Street is a place where you can see live games like basketball, bull riders, music concerts just to list a few. You will always see this place alive with a frenzy of activities and games to cheer you up.

Address: 130 Fulton W, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Website: www.vanandelarena.com

7: Grand Rapids Art Museum

A place named after the city in which it is located means that it has some amazing things to offer you. Located at 101 Monroe Center, this is just one of the places where you can see thousands of artifacts dating back to the European Renaissance. Apart from old art, you will also see modern art done by famous artists like Richard Diebenkorn who was very famous for his abstract expression art. You only get to see this when you pay a visit to this place.

Address: 101 Monroe Center St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Website: www.artmuseumgr.org

8: John Ball Zoo

Opened in 1891, a visit to this zoo makes you one with nature. The over 200 different species of more than 1000 animals residing in the zoo will give you a wild adventure and a half. This zoo has some of the best wild animals in a habitat that is as close to natural as possible. Mammals, birds, reptiles, fish and invertebrates, amongst others, are just some of the animals found in the zoo. It has also young animals who are thriving and consider the zoo as their home.

Address: 1300 West Fulton Street, Grand Rapids, MI 49504

Website: www.jbzoo.org

9: Grand Rapids Children’s Museum

Children’s museums are not common and when you get to one, the experience for sure is worthwhile. Grand Rapids Children’s Museum located in Grand Rapids is a place where you could take your kids for their next tour and have a kid destruction frenzy at the kidstruction zone that gives your kids plenty of room to do all forms of destruction. There is also a family banquet on offer. This place is popular for the various packages, programs and field trips it offers to fill you with thrills and adrenaline throughout the entire day.

Address: 11 Sheldon Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Website: www.grcm.org

Also Read: Top 10 Best Children's Museums in the USA

10: Fish Ladder Sculpture

This Sculpture is located at 560 Front Ave under the ingenious design of a man by the name Joseph Kinebrew. The place has a sculpture that is as fascinating as you could ever imagine. The sculpture allows fish to be able to maneuver properly in the spring and the fish around the area jump on the ladder sculpture. You can visit and watch the fish jump by yourself in this amazing spectacle.

Address: 560 Front Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504

Website: www.friendsofgrparks.org